Monday, October 31, 2022
Friday, October 14, 2022
Plan and prepare to pick
October 14, 2022
I usually limit myself to choosing two or three estate sales to visit a month. I aim to be intentional with my picking; to leave each sale feeling satisfied and excited to add new pieces to whichever collection I’m expanding that day. When I was growing up, my grandmother was very intentional with the sales that she chose to visit, which might be where this habit comes from. Once I’ve selected the sales I hope to visit, I make a plan. This plan usually involves cleaning out the back seat of my car and laying a shag tarp down in hopes of finding a beautiful new armoire or loveseat for my living room. Next, I set a budget for myself. It is so easy to get overwhelmed when you’re visiting a sale. Definitely do your homework before you go to see which payment methods they accept. To keep me on budget, I’ll usually take out some cash and limit myself to the amount of bills that I bring.
Now that I’ve got my money together, my car is prepped and ready for any transport I need to do, all that is left is to make your short list of ‘wants’ or what I refer to as ‘Not Leaving Without’.
Usually you have an idea of what is going to be featured at a sale, but it can be overwhelming once you arrive. Have a short list of ‘wants’ or things that you should keep an eye out for. This list should act as a guide for you. Think about the pieces you already have at home. What’s missing? What needs something new added to it to complete the final look? What could use a vintage scarf lining to spruce up the fall decor in your home? Be intentional with your picking!
I have found the majority of my most treasured pieces through estate sale picking or thrifting. It is crucial that you keep your intentions set and your actions focused on getting done whatever job you came to do. By setting a budget, prepping, researching, and creating a short list of ‘wants’, you alleviate more time for picking and less time for what feels like aimless wandering.
What is your pre-picking ritual? Do you make a plan to hunt or are you a “decide in the moment” type of person?
Be thankful, be kind,
-Kat W.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Friday, September 9, 2022
Hey Pittsburgh bargain hunters and pickers!
My name is Katlyn, but I go by Kat! I’ve lived in Pittsburgh my whole life; I’m even a Pirate’s
fan! Some of my favorite memories as a child are from my regularly scheduled Sunday visits to
Trader Jack’s Flea Market with my grandparents. The first Sunday of every month my Pap and
Gram loaded all of the kids into the Buick Minivan and shuttled us to Bridgeville. I remember
thinking that the massive lot full of vendors was overwhelming. I made a pact with my cousins
that one day we would go up and down every single aisle, inside and out, to make sure we didn’t
miss anything. Every turn held another secret treasure that I had to uncover! We would arrive
with our own allowance or earnings from cutting the grass, no doubt just a few crumpled one
dollar bills in a crocheted beaded handbag.
My Pap always approached the flea market with intention. He knew what he was looking for..
Whatever that was. He found unique or misprinted license plates, leather collectible jackets,
Olympic Games memorabilia, and of course, his tapes. Pap LOVES his movies. My Gram’s eye
for catching real jewelry and custom, antique pieces was what made me dream about this Sunday
every day until it came. I love jewelry. I used to work at a jewelry store, I collect vintage
costume jewelry and brooches, I LOVE jewelry. Still to this day when I stroll the aisles of thrift
stores, estate sales, and flea markets alike, I always search that ziplock baggie of tangled jewelry
for a hidden treasure. Some of my favorite pieces in my jewelry collection are ones my Gram
found or got for me.
There are so many helpful hints or mantras that my grandparents taught me that ring through my
ears each time I make a plan to pick. Back when my grandparents found sales, they sourced them
from our local newspaper. No photos, just descriptions. Gram used to tell me that there were
certain words or phrases to look out for in listings, ones that made the sale seem like a
‘must-visit’ in comparison to other ones listed for that day. Any post that described a sale as a
lifetime accumulation or from a well-traveled veteran, you knew to make a trip to the MAC
machine before visiting the lot. Some of the best antique European furniture we have found were
shared in a newspaper listing describing the pieces as romantic, ornate, intricate, family
heirloom, original fixtures, atelier, or even opulent. These words have stuck with me and still
follow me each time I visit a sale; it reminds me why I fell in love with picking.
What kind of memories do estate sale picking, flea markets, and thrifting bring up for you? If
you’re new to the game, who did you start with? Have you been visiting Trader Jack’s since
opening day almost thirty years ago? What’s one of your favorite finds, or your own self-created
mantra?
Be thankful, be kind,
-Kat W.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
of Treasures" sale that spans from New Bedford to Volant. You can drive along the beautiful countryside, stopping at sales along the route. You can also stop in New Wilmington or Volant to park your car and stroll through the town. This sale is popular, and can get picked over fast, but I love traveling backroads and discovering new places, so that is more than enough reason for me to make the trip each year.
Friday, December 20, 2019
Turnkey Picker Chat
Friday, July 5, 2013
George Washington's Vision
George was sitting and writing at his desk, with instructions not to be disturbed. when a woman appeared from a mist and began to speak ,,, well, we will let George take it from here.
"Presently I heard a voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn,' while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. I was able to see in one dimension all of the Estate Sales to be held the week of our independence in the year 2013. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain were lawn mowers and snow blowers, Vintage bottles, like the one I was presently drinking from, old hats, chairs and assorted furniture. I even saw an unsmoked joint from Woodstock. As I lay my quill down and wiped my brow I heard `Son of the Republic' in the same mysterious voice as before, `look and learn,'
At that moment I beheld droves of future Americans exercising their freedoms by carrying boxes and baskets full of items to their SUV's and Minivans. Everything imaginable like the Boston Rocker at Hutchison's sale to the Colonial Dinning room at Jaye's Sunday sale. "The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, `Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: There will be 13 professional and two family sales, set forth on July 6th in the year of our lord 2013. With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress and destiny of the United States."